“Out of pocket” repairs

We spend a lot of time focusing on how to have your vehicle repaired when you are filing a claim with an insurance company. While this is a good option, there are times when we are really just dealing with a minor dent or ding. And with most dents and dings we don’t know who or how they were caused. Sometimes with minor damage such as that we may consider paying for repairs out of pocket.

There are a couple of reasons that one may decide to pay for repairs themselves. The first is that the cost of repairs is less than your deductible. When you file an insurance claim you will always pay your deductible. So for example, if your deductible is $1000 and the cost of repairs is $950, you might as well not bother with filing the claim. You would have had to pay that amount regardless and now you have a claim on your record.

Which brings us to the next reason. Every insurance company is different and some may have different consequences for filing a claim. Sometimes filing a claim may result in a premium change. You should always check with your carrier on their/your policy limits and rules. This can factor into your decision as to how you would like to pay for repairs.

Here at Sal’s, we will gladly write you an estimate for customer pay repairs and we also work with all insurance companies. So we can assist you whichever way you decide, even if you are not sure, feel free to call us or stop in. We can discuss your options and help you to make the best decision to suit your needs.